I was really interested in trying some of their espresso but elected not to after talking to them about shipping. I live two states away in MO and they said it would be four days in transit. They use USPS and charge $7.05 to ship two bags (they package in 14oz bags). When I asked for UPS the lady said she would have to check but the rates would be more.I hate the thought of my beans spending time in a hot truck and pinpointing delivery is important to me. So, much as I'd like to try their highly-rated coffee, I'll pass and use Intelligentsia!

I was a little disappointed in the delivery service provided, but I can tell you it is delicious despite the wait. Also, I just moved so my package sat a day or two in the post office. It is a coffee well worth trying.

My recollection is, unless things have changed, that Intelligentsia's delivery if fairly long as well. The speediest that I recall is Espresso Vivace. Am I wrong about Intel?

I like Intelligentsia's system. They tell you exactly when a given order will be roasted and shipped. I get the coffee two days after its roasted which, to me, is about the correct amount of rest. Years ago, I ordered from Peet's and they were very precise. They offered UPS 2-day for just a couple bucks over ground.I home roast but am finding it difficult to obtain consistant results, even using SM's pre-blends. As always, the search for perfection goes on.Would be interested in hearing about your experience with Vivace as I've not tried his coffee. Seattle and other west coast outfits take four days at least via UPS. Again, some of the best life of the beans spent in a hot truck.

I got my best mail time yet from paradise, 1 lb via flat rate priority envelope. They added a buck to the $3.85 flat rate. It is lighter than anything else I've tried, thought it was too light at first, but after a couple days I was pulling shot after shot, and the bag was gone twice as fast as usual. I ordered right after Ken Davids put out his review, and I think they were crushed with orders, so I think it was the freshest beans I've gotten via mail order yet as well. Worth trying.tom

Initially we had a few hiccups, but recently (as in June 26th, 2004) we moved to a system that gets you your coffee very quickly. If you order by Midnight, Sunday-Thursday, your coffee is roasted and shipped the next day. If you order on Friday or Saturday, your coffee is roasted on Sunday and shipped on Monday. Thanks for listening.

Thanks for the info. That high rating in the Coffee Review is tempting so I may break down and give them a try. I hate to have to pay for roasted beans plus shipping but may have to. I think for good results home roasting I might have to buy all the coffees for a blend and roast them separately before blending. That would compound my problem as I try to tweak my machine and grinderThere sure are a lot of folks that like the Black Cat Blend. I havent had any since getting my new machine. I may have spoke too soon about Intelligentsia, though. I ordered a couple pounds and asked that it be sent out today. Tried a phone order Monday but never got a live body so I left a voicemail, then placed the order online to be sure and put my instructions in the comments. Got a UPS message that the coffee was sent out yesterday. I emailed Intelligentsia and asked why they didn't send it like I asked and they wrote back and said they'd, "remind the person who's supposed to read the comments to read them". Guess one day is not that big a deal but I'm fussy about freshness.Anyway...I'll see who can provide the best blend, and do it on time. Both Vivace and Cafe d'Arte have been accomodating, even offering to send samples.

I Would be interested in hearing about your experience with Vivace as I've not tried his coffee. Seattle and other west coast outfits take four days at least via UPS. Again, some of the best life of the beans spent in a hot truck.

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